By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A MONKEY bike rider who interrupted a Remembrance Day service in Endeavour Hills has been slammed for his lack of respect as well as his recklessness.
Under new State laws, riders of monkey bikes in public will no longer be just slapped with fines but can have their bikes impounded and crushed.
A Star News photographer captured a young male rider without a helmet or number plates riding past the Remembrance Day gathering at Endeavour Hills memorial on 8 November.
The nonchalent rider then squeezed his bike between a car and a garbage truck at traffic lights at Heatherton Road.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL president John Wells, who paused his address during the interjection, later said it was symbolic of a growing lack of respect and courtesy.
“In the old days, the traffic and people would stop during the service as a mark of respect.
“He wouldn’t have even understood he did anything wrong.
“It’s a shame we haven’t taught these children about showing respect. We have children who genuinely can’t think beyond themselves.”
Sergeant John Blackburn, of Endeavour Hills police, also observed the rider at the service.
He said police were concerned by “numerous” under-age riders imperilling pedestrians on local footpaths, reserves, car parks, roads and the Endeavour Hills shopping centre.
“We’ve got a lot of elderly people and young kids in the area.
“These kids riding have got no idea of safety and the well-being of pedestrians in the area.
“They don’t know the consequences if they hit someone and the damage they can do to themselves riding these things.”
Sgt Blackburn said police sought information on who were the riders and where the bikes were coming from.
Often the riders weren’t licenced and their bikes were unregistered, he said.
“Parents should know the riders have the bikes. They need to take responsibility and prevent the use.
“As the weather gets warmer, we normally see them come out more often.”
Two Victorians have died in monkey-bike incidents the past 18 months, including a mother-of-two struck by a monkey bike in a Carrum Downs shopping centre car park last year.
In laws introduced in State Parliament in October, monkey bikes used on public roads can be seized, and the offender taken to court and fined up to $3109.
At the discretion of the court, the bike may be crushed.
Bikes found without a rider can be impounded and crushed after three months.
Previously, offenders faced no more than a fine for riding an unregistered vehicle – unless they were riding recklessly or speeding.
Roads and Roads Safety Minister Luke Donnellan, also the MP for Narre Warren North, said monkey bikes were unsafe.
“If you’re riding one in public, you’re breaking the law.
“Police won’t be granting second chances when it comes to keeping these bikes off our streets, and keeping people safe.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government wouldn’t “stand by and watch another person hurt on our roads by these dangerous bikes”.
